Puppy Love

Max, an introverted IT worker who works from home, follows his therapist's advice to get a dog to socialize. He adopts a quiet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and names her Chloe. This new companion marks the start of a potential personal turning point.

Nicole visits her mom's house where her sister's fiancé is present. Her mother belittles Nicole's job and life choices, talking to Alistair as if Nicole isn't there. The scene highlights family pressure and Nicole's ongoing insecurities about commitment.

After a night of clubbing, Nicole returns home and encounters a stray dog near her building's dumpster. She cleans him up and names him Channing Tatum. This act seeds the later dog-sharing dynamic between the two leads.

They match because of their dogs and arrange to meet in a park. Max's awkward lines clash with Nicole's extroversion, and the date is rocky. To make matters worse, their dogs briefly disappear and are found mating, souring the evening and sealing a vow to avoid each other for now.

Max and Nicole learn that Chloe is pregnant with Channing's puppies, turning their relationship into a practical co-parenting arrangement. They begin coordinating dog care and plan playdates away from their homes. The situation sets the stage for ongoing interaction.

Nicole's landlord threatens eviction because of the dogs. To keep both pups together, Max agrees to let Channing stay at his apartment. This creates more time for the two to see each other and work as a team.

Nicole temporarily brings in second-hand items for a house she’s staging, triggering Max's OCD symptoms. They navigate boundaries as his condition flares, testing their nascent connection. The moment highlights how his anxiety shapes their dynamic.

After a calming walk, Max explains that a COVID quarantine, caused by his fiancée's cheating, worsened his OCD. Nicole shows empathy, which leads to a spontaneous kiss that she does not fully reciprocate. They agree to stay neutral for the time being.

As they spend more time together, Max gradually returns to work and life. They bond with the dogs through activities like doggie Lamaze classes, which strengthens their connection and trust. The home begins to feel more shared and less strained.

Nicole invites Max out for drinks, but he declines. She ends up at a party with a girlfriend, where a client named Hunter shows up and they party together. The night deepens the complex dynamics between humans and dogs.

Returning to Max's to walk the dogs, Hunter is there with Nicole and confronts Max. He ends up punching Hunter as he continues to touch Max’s belongings. Max ejects them from the apartment, and Chloe slips out through a door left ajar.

A few days later they apologize and embark on a road trip to the University of Washington for Nicole's art-school interview. Chloe goes into labor during the trip, forcing a detour. Unbeknownst to Nicole, Max has submitted her portfolio virtually, leading to her admission after they spend the night together for the first time.

Max invites Nicole and Channing to stay together officially. When the puppies grow large enough, they plan a party to introduce them. The couple now seems at ease with a crowded home and growing family.

Max is finally out of his shell, showing no sign of OCD or introversion. The apartment is crowded with their pack, but the life feels fuller and more connected than before.